3800SC w/5 Speed Slipping Clutch Root Cause Analysis and solution (Page 1/1)
wpg_87gt NOV 13, 10:17 AM
I purchased a 1987 Fiero GT with a 3800SC and 5 Speed manual and have had some clutch slipping issues, on a fairly new Centerforce Dual Friction clutch installed by the previous owner.

Currently I've removed the clutch to determine what is causing these issues and I was hoping to get some input from others to determine if I am on the right track to a solution.

So far I've found the following:
1. Clutch will slip in 4th and 5th gear when accelerating aggressively.
2. Clutch disengagement point is closer to the top of the pedal travel.
3 Clutch Cover Rivets were contacting the transmission bellhousing and have worn a groove into it.
4. The clutch release fingers also were contacting the clutch pressure pressure plate.
5. There are some metal shavings on the transmission input shaft, which I suspect came from interference 3 and 4.
6. When measuring the fly wheel thickness, I end up with 0.885", which based on my reading is about 0.065" thicker than it should be.

My current theory and plan are as follows:

The excess fly wheel thickness was causing the clutch to contact the transmission housing, potentially also not completely engaging the clutch, creating the slipping issue.

To address this, I plan to have flywheel machined down to 0.820" or order the Spec SC62A Aluminum flywheel designed for this application, then install a new clutch.

Thoughts?

[This message has been edited by wpg_87gt (edited 11-13-2023).]

Larryinkc NOV 13, 03:18 PM
I have a Series III SC 3800 with a Spec aluminum flywheel and Stage 3+ clutch. I drive it enthusiastically and have about 12,000 miles on it and no problems.

Aluminum flywheel bolt to crank info.

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/131343.html

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/139634.html

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/146745.html
olejoedad NOV 14, 06:29 PM
I think you are spot on with your analysis and solution.
Frenchrafe NOV 15, 05:01 AM
Yep! Flywheel too thick.
I use a SPEC aluminium flywheel and my clutch never slips.
Though the steel insert (contact/pressure plate that the clutch disc runs on) of the flywheel will wear out quicker than the rest. I've replaced one already and I don't do more than a few track days each year ans no more than 2000km/year.
I'm hard on clutches!😅

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